August 19 2007: TMI Is Really Too Much
Filed under Online
I wonder: when does TMI become, quite literally, too much information?
Through a recent thread at Snark where we voted for Biggest Idiot on the Interwebs, MissReesha’s site came up as an example of a blogger who gives out too much information about her sex life. From glass dildos and buttplugs, to “nigga KNOWS how to work the dick like a muthafuckin champ”, to “my baby can lay piiiiiiiiiiipe”.
But, well, when is too much too much? Sure she’s talking about sex toys, and her fantabulous sex life, but don’t I talk about anal sex (1, 2), vaginal smells and tastes (1, 2), consequences of sex (1, 2), and sex and promiscuity in general (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)?
How are my sex and anatomy posts (which are generally the best received posts on this blog which garner the most comments) any different from hers? We cover the same sort of topics, so is it simply our differing levels of command of the English language that makes us different? Is my TMI-posting more acceptable because it’s phrased in proper textbook English?
I’m bemused, really I am. Jordie says in that thread:
Perhaps Amanda can give her some lessons on TMI blogging…The difference is that your articles about anal sex are actually worth reading.
Well thank you Jordie. But how? And why? How can the same people who mock MissReesha (and Jenn for that matter) about their TMI blogging, turn around and comment with “LULZ Amanda, UR SO FUNNII” (and the like) on my own TMI posts?
Tell me where the line is drawn. Tell me how far I can go without damaging your sensibilities. Because personally, I can’t see the distinction.
13 Responses to “TMI Is Really Too Much”
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This has crossed my mind a few times, but I still think she’s an idiot. :P
Jordie on August 19 2007 #
Some people just have a way of being more tasteful than others, I guess…
I personally haven’t even been to the blogs of those other people but maybe it’s because of your openness to talk about other topics? I see your writing about sex as more of like part of your writing style. More than half the time, it’s not your ONLY topic… you kind of just pepper posts with sex-related humor… I guess? I’m not so sure either. Oh and I think the fact that you’re a good writer and you seem to pick your words out carefully (doubt it… but it seems like it!) appeal to those who are less open to reading TMI posts.
Felisa on August 19 2007 #
“We cover the same sort of topics, so is it simply our differing levels of command of the English language that makes us different?”
I’d say so.
Unlike them, you have the ability to discuss such topics without coming across as a braindead, grammatically challenged imbecile who has a brain capacity similar if not worse to that of a flea.
*breathes*
You bring eloquence to all things anal.
Rhiannon on August 19 2007 #
I think it’s hard to explain. I’d say it’s just difference in writing style and the attitude of the writer is shown through the writing style. Maybe they just use more explicit terms.
I somehow sense arrogance through MissReesha and perhaps Jenn’s sex posts, as a show-off kind of thing. Well, if you are “showing off” for that matter, I don’t smell it. :P
Rilla on August 19 2007 #
I’m too lazy to read MissReesha’s posts, but as far as Jenn is concerned you give much less details. For one, plus there is a difference in how you present things.
I for one read smutty fanfiction (generally the most explicit kind) quite often, yet I have to admit that not even those describe things the way Jenn does.
The way I see it, Jenn tries to be alluring and witty - which is hard since there;s a thin line to cross and you sound crass. You seem to go more towards a clinical approach in this case, but somehow end up giving events a bit of a humorous twist.
So yeah, I guess in the end the form of presentation (i.e. command of English language) DOES play a large role in the quality of such posts.
Vera on August 19 2007 #
I never read the other blogs so I don’t know. I like to read your posts because, like others have said, they have a certain humor. People might actually learn from you.
You also don’t post as many pictures as the others (from what I can see) - you only have the one (tasteful), people know you’re one hot piece of ass, maybe that’s a reason too? I don’t know, I really don’t.
I just know I dream because of anal sex more often now since I discovered your site and read your snark posts - eh - the lover LOVES that of course (although he knows he’ll never be allowed to (yet) ) Thanks Amanda!!
Tracy on August 19 2007 #
What I like about your sex posts is that they don’t come out offensive. You deliver them in a subtle way which doesn’t make readers think, (or me at least) “eww, that’s TMI!”
Her posts are so straightforward, i.e. “I finally got some dick!” Lol, you definitely don’t put it that way. I guess you know the fine line between trying to sound classy sexually, rather than coming out as an online slut.
Juice on August 20 2007 #
I don’t think there’s too much thing as too much information! Whether it be in the form of a legal tome or the goatse guy.
And yes I think there is a double standard. I saw someone on the Snark forum complaining about the owner of jenn.nu blogging about her sex life as being “TMI”. Whereas if you had done it, I think it would be taken more warmly. *shrugs*
Also, I think it’s necessary to point out that people’s inability to handle information presented to them in a certain way is THEIR own problem with interpretation or intake; not the person presenting the information. It’s YOUR problem that you abhor when something sexual is not presented in the “nice” and “acceptable” way that you’re used to. It’s like when people claim tl;dr (I’m often guilty of this one *has tiny attention span*), it’s not the fault of the writer, but the reader.
Belinda on August 20 2007 #
There are definitely double standards. In the case of Reesha, she also has a history of her own bit of internet drama. kthnxbai.com comes to mind. At least, I think that was the spelling of the domain. Anyway, the purpose of it was solely to target and ridicule other people and insult them, call them all sorts of crass names, etc.
I blog about many things things that others blog about, as you pointed out. The difference between me and “them” is that I, for whatever reason, am already disliked and targeted. So it’s easy to drag me through the mud, even if I say the same things others do.
Jenn on August 20 2007 #
Oh and one last thing; idiocy =/= TMI. If you think someone writes like an idiot, fair enough. If their attitude pisses you off, fair enough. But I don’t see how revealing too much information (whether in a vulgar way or more “acceptable” way) is, IN ITSELF, something bad unto itself. People can write like an idiot about non-sexual things. As you noted, it’s incredibly difficult to draw a line interpreting the AMOUNT of information (i.e. what’s “too much”?) as opposed to poorly conveyed information. It seems to be the HOW information is presented that is being contended, not WHAT the information is.
Belinda on August 20 2007 #
It has nothing to do with anything. :-P They just like you better.
Kimmie on August 20 2007 #
I agree with Kimmie.
I am not drawing lines for anyone else as long as I can draw my own.
Nan on August 20 2007 #
When you give too much information for the sake of giving too much information. I mean, your posts have class, or humor, or both; I highly doubt hers do.
Kycoo on August 20 2007 #